Wellbeing 2020

At LNPS, all of us are really grateful for the positive messages of support that we have received during the last few weeks. Every day has given us a new challenge, as we come to terms with the ever changing face of 'our new normal.'

Attempting to keep the old normal running as smoothly as possible, managing students increasing concerns and getting ready for an unknown future has not been easy, however we need to keep reminding ourselves that many people are experiencing far worse as COVID-19 dominates our horizon.

While maintaining a calm, level headed approach and considering the ways in which we can all do our part to help beat this, let's remember to continue to care for people in our community. What we do for others on a day to day basis is a significant reason why Australia is a great place to live!

We keep hearing the word 'unprecedented' as changes to our everyday lives sweep across our country and planet. It's always fantastic to see the positive things that people are doing for others. Firstly, I recently read a post from a former student in the UK and it filled my heart with happiness.

Having seen an elderly lady struggle to do her shopping - not finding the essential things she needed, Jake and his friends decided to carry her shopping home and offer to visit the shops for her so that she doesn't need to experience this stress filled environment again. I know that put a smile on her face, just to know that people cared.

The second was a story from The Project last weekend - Lisa Talks to Kids about Coronavirus. The children all had opinions which were fascinating to listen to but the closing statement from Liam, a 12 year old boy...

'I think we should be acting as a community, as a human race. Although medicine and drugs can probably get us through this thing, something really important that will get us through is kindness. You are not just you in this world, you would be nothing without everyone else.'

A really powerful message from a young person. In these times, find all of these lovely heart warming stories and messages that can be shared as a family and community. When we talk about these stories, it gives us all something positive to focus on and appreciate just how important our community is.

Plans had been put in place for our Y4-7 students to take part in the Department for Education's Wellbeing and Engagement Survey. Unfortunately it has been cancelled for 2020.

We will invest some time on generating our own surveys throughout the year with a key focus on measuring children's happiness, connection to school, fitness activities and experiences with feeling safe at school. We listen to student voice and respond accordingly to improve our provision at Lockleys North.

With the news being a huge focus in our lives during 2020, our children are naturally getting more worried and picking up on our more heightened states of distress. Things that are important to them - sports activities among others are getting cancelled which is having an impact on their happiness and wellbeing.

We have attached the flyer from the World Health Organisation - Helping Children Cope with Stress during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Stay safe everyone and continue to be kind.

Thanks for your continued support,

Mike

The images below are from Random Acts of Kindness website - these will be referenced throughout the year.